SportsView
·30 July 2025
Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres shuts down Thierry Henry comparison ahead of pre-season North London Derby

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·30 July 2025
After years without a prolific striker to lead the line, Arsenal finally sorted out their issues at the top end of the pitch after forking out a significant fee to land Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
Arsenal were linked with several strikers, including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but ended up signing the Sweden international in a deal that could be worth up to £63.4 million.
The Gunners will pay an initial £54.8m, with the additional £8.6m accounting for performance-related bonuses.
Gyokeres has already made a huge impression even without kicking a ball. His addition to the team has already smashed the club’s merchandise records with shirt sales eclipsing previous numbers.
He has also picked up Arsenal’s iconic number 14 shirt, famously worn by club legend and arguably the Gunners’ greatest ever player of the 21st century, Thierry Henry.
While many might be daunted by the legacy of 228 goals and countless magical moments tied to that number, Gyokeres isn’t one to let history weigh him down.
“Of course I know about the history,” Gyokeres said (via BBC). “To be honest, there weren’t so many numbers available. There weren’t too many to pick from.
“But of course, that one was available. So when I knew that it was an easy choice to take it.”
Henry won the Premier League Golden Boot four times with Arsenal, as well as two league titles and three FA Cups, but Gykeres doesn’t want to be compared to the French legend.
“It’s not really my intention to be compared with what he’s achieved in his career,” he said. “I just want to do my own thing and show my qualities.”
Gyokeres could make his Arsenal debut when the Gunners take on Tottenham Hotspur in a pre-season North London Derby.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is already a big fan of Gyokeres’ mentality and is looking forward to working with the Swedish marksman.
“When I spoke to him, the word that came to mind was conviction,” Arteta said.
“He already felt connected to the club and understood what the shirt stood for. When you feel that, you just have to go for it.”
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